Windsurfer



P 1966 M. c. KIEFER 3,273,528

WINDSURFER Filed July 20, 1964 INVENTOR. Michael C. Kiefer Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee, 8 Ufechf United States Patent 3,273,528 WINDSURFER Michael C. Kiefer, 509 Ampitheater Drive, Del Mar, Calif. Filed July 20, 1964, Ser. No. 383,852 7 Claims. (Cl. 114-61) The present invention relates to a craft, and more particularly to a watercraft of the catamaran type.

The craft of the present invention comprises a main frame to which two surfboards are removably attached. These surfboards are buoyant in water and are of the type used for surf riding.

Two pairs of clamps are provided, one pair for each surfboard for clamping the surfboards to the main frame. Each of these clamps includes two jaws, at least one of each pair of jaws being movable relative to the other of the respective cooperating jaw of a pair. The movable jaws are moved simultaneously.

Preferably two sets of clamps are provided, each including two pairs of clamps, one set being disposed forwardly of the other. Each set of clamps includes two pairs of clamps, one for each surfboard, and, each pair includes two jaws as set forth in the foregoing.

Toggles are provided for simultaneously moving the two jaws of a pair of clamps. These toggles, when moved beyond dead center, lock the two surfboards in position on the frame.

Other features and the advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved craft shown as a catamaran of the sailing type;

FIG. 2 is a view of two of the clamps of one set of clamps, and showing the surfboards in section, the sections being transverse of the length of the boards; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in section, the section being taken along line 33, but on a larger scale.

Referring generally to the drawing, the craft is shown at in the form of a buoyant catamaran. It includes generally a main frame 22 to which a pair of surfboards 24 and 26 are removably clamped. The catamaran is of the sailing type and includes a mast 28, a boom 30, and a mainsail 32.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the main frame 22 includes two crossbeams 34 and 36, lying fore and aft of one another and are connected by the left stringer 38 and the right stringer 40. The stringers carry a passenger seat 42. A crossbeam 44 is also attached to the stringers 38 and 40, and the leeboard 46 is suitably pivoted as at 48, upon the crossbeam 44.

Rudder brackets 50 extend rearwardly of the aft crossbeam 36, and the rear end thereof carries a board 52. Rudders 54 are suitably carried at the rear of the frame and are actuated by a tiller generally indicated at 56. The mast 28 is suitably carried by the fore crossbeam 34 which in turn carries the boom 30. Preferably, the main frame is formed of buoyant material such as wood.

Referring now more particularly toPIGS. 2 and 3, showing one of the transverse crossbeams, beam 34 being selected and includes two downwardly extending legs 58 and 60 disposed at the extreme opposite ends of the crossbeam. The lower end of these legs carries, respectively, jaws 62 and 64. These jaws include a substantially V- shaped metal plate 66, and a V-shaped gasket material 68. A track 70 extends along and is suitably attached to the underside of the beam 34. This track is in the form of a channel having a longitudinally extending slot 72 at the bottom thereof, and receives two T-shaped shoes 74 and 75. The shoes ride within the channel 70, and one 3,273,528 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 carries a leg 76 and the other carries a leg 78. The lower end of leg 76 carries a jaw and the lower end of leg 78 carries a jaw 82. These jaws 80 and 82 are like jaws 62 and 64. Jaw 80 confronts jaw 62 and jaw82 confronts jaw 64.

A toggle 84 connects the two shoes by toggle links 86 and 88 which are pivotally connected, respectively, with shoes 74 and 75, and pivotally connected with one another by a pin 90. By pushing upwardly on the links 86 and 88, both shoes are :moved outwardly so as to move the jaws 80 and 82 outwardly. The linkage is such that when the links are in dead center position with respect to one another, the jaws 80 and 82 are in clamping relationship with the surfboards 24 and 26, respectively, and when moved beyond this dead center position, the jaws will remain in clam-ping relationship with the surfboards due to the resiliency of the gasket material 68.

Thus, it is apparent that the surfboards 24 and 26 can be used as part of a catamaran by merely clamping the same in position, as previously described, it being understood that the second set of clamps like the two previous clamps, are provided underneath the crossbeam 36. When it is desired to use the surfboards as such, it is necessary only to detach the same from the main frame, by pulling downwardly on the two sets of toggles. In this manner the craft can be used as a catamarn for carrying two persons to the desired places for starting the surf riding, and since the surfboards are readily detached, they can be immediately used for surf riding. The main frame, being formed mainly of buoyant material, will re main afloat and may be corralled by an attendant.

While the form of embodiment herein shown and described constitutes preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms may be adopted falling within the scope of the claims that follow.

I claim:

1. A craft of the catamaran type, comprising in combination:

(A) a main frame;

(B) two surfboards;

(C) and clamping means on the main frame engageable with opposite edges of both surfboards for removably attaching the surfboards to the main frame.

2. A craft of the catamaran type, comprising in combination:

(A) a main frame;

(B) two surfboards;

(C) and means on the main frame for removably attaching the surfboards to the main frame, said means comprising:

(1) two pairs of clamps, one for each surfboard,

each pair of clamps including:

(a) two jaws, at least one being movable toward and away from the other, (b) and means for moving both movable jaws simultaneously.

3. A craft of the catamaran type, comprising in com bination:

(A) a main frame;

(B) two surfboards;

(C) and means on the main frame for removably attaching the surfboards to the main frame, said means comprising:

( 1) two sets of clamps, one set being disposed forwardly of the other, each set including:

(a) two pairs of clamps, one for each surfboard, each pair of clamps including (i) two jaws, at least one being movable toward and away from the other, (b) and means for moving both movable jaws simultaneously.

4. A craft as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the means comprises a toggle 5. A craft as defined in claim 2, characterized in that the means for moving both movable jaws simultaneously comprises a toggle.

*6. A craft of the catamaran type, comprising in combination:

(A) a main frame;

(B) two surfboards;

(C) and means on the main frame for removably attaching the surfboards to the main frame, said means comprising:

(1) two pairs of clamps, one for each surfboard,

each pair of clamps including:

(a) an outwardly disposed stationary jaw,

(b) a jaw disposed inwardly of the first mentioned jaw,

(c) and means for simultaneously moving both movable jaws toward and away from the stationary jaws.

7. A craft of the catamaran type, comprising in combin-ation:

(A) a main frame;

(B) two surfboards;

4 (C) and means on the main frame for removably attaching the surfboards to the main frame, said means comprising:

(1) two sets of clamps, one set being disposed forwardly of the other, each set including:

(a) an outwardly disposed stationary jaw, (b) a jaw disposed inwardly of the first mentioned jaw, (c) and means for simultaneously moving both movable jaws toward and away from the stationary jaws.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,134,991 6/1964 Levinson 9-1 3,141,435 7/1964 Moffitt 114-61 X FOREIGN PATENTS 932,071 7/1963 Great Britain.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CRAFT OF THE CATAMARAN TYPE, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A MAIN FRAME; (B) TWO SURFBORADS; (C) AND CLAMPING MEANS ON THE FRAME ENGAGEABLE WITH OPPOSITE EDGES OF BOTH SURFBOARDS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING THE SURFBOARDS TO THE MAIN FRAME. 